Review: THE INVISIBLE HAND at K.C. Repertory

"The Invisible Hand" by Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Ayad Akhtar is a thoughtful, dark parable for modern times. "Invisible Hand" is a first time Kansas City Production. It will continue performances through November 13 at Kansas City Repertory Theatre's downtown Copaken Stage.

The title references Adam Smith's 19th century economic treatise "The Wealth of Nations." Smith identified an "Invisible Hand" as the intrinsic force that automatically balances and rebalances financial markets in a predictable way.

"Invisible Hand" is a thinking person's play. While the action references the Pakistani hinterlands, a similar situation could easily be dropped into with any number of conflicts or time periods.

KC Rep Artistic Director Eric Rosen compares this production as unusual and somewhat analogous to "a good independent film."

Kansas City audiences have been taught to expect Broadway quality production values and "The Invisible Hand does not disappoint. The excellent set is designed by Martin Andrew with lighting design by Elizabeth Harper. Their imagined prison cell conveys the makeshift character of its probable location. A moving stock ticker projects the current financial news downstage of the actors. Projections are also used to orient the audience in time and manage scene breaks.

Imprisoned is Nick Bright (Jason Chanos), a mid-level, American, money manager working for an international bank. Nick is an unintended hostage. The terroists intended to kidnap Nick's boss, but settled for Nick instead. .

The terrorists demand $10 million for Nick's release. They soon discover the American government America refuses to negotiate with kidnappers under any circumstance. Disappointed, the jihadists make preparations to execute Nick.

Quickly, Nick offers a counter proposal. He says he can come up with about $3 million, and that he can use his money management skills to make up the difference between what he can afford to pay and the $10 million demanded. Imam Saleem(Rock Kohli) and his English speaking right hand man, Bashir (Andrew Guilarte) consider Nick's proposal. They agree.

Nick will stay in confinement and trade the grubstake for 60 days. If Nick succeeds, he will be freed. If not, he will be shot. Nick must work through Bashir. Bashir alone has computer access.

Bashir is an Englishman of Pakistani heritage. He is intelligent, idealistic, and ruthless. He has joined the group so that he may improve the lot of the extended Pakistani diaspora. He is motivated by a desire to help his people rather than a burning need to participate in a holy war.

These people happen to be Muslims, but under similar conditions the play could just as easily be transplanted to South America, the far East, Africa, or even to the old West. Money is always the corrupting influence. We find out it might even corrupt a holy man.

Nick and Bashir are successful in their trading activity, but while surveying the books they discover that the Imam has pilfered from them. When they question him, Saleem claims the money went for a medicine purchase. Nick explains that money must be available and circulating or the goal cannot be reached. Saleem appears to understand. A second occurrence makes Bashir realize he has been had and he murders the Imam.

War heats up around camp. Drone strikes march ever closer. Bashir frees Nick, but it is doubtful that Nick can maneuver out of danger.

"The Invisible Hand" is a well -produced, well- acted, and thought provoking journey into the minds and motivations of its characters. There is an intended universality to the conflict described with a hope that the characters will be humanized. It is well worth seeing.

Tickets are available for the "Invisible Hand" on the KC Rep website or by telephone at 816-235-2700.

Photo courtesy of Kansas City Theatre - Cory Weaver

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